Age, loyalty factors in border head ouster – analyst

May 30, BPN. The ouster of Anatol Łapo, the head of Belarus’ border agency, reflects Alaksandr Łukašenka’s policy of rotating officials to prevent them from gaining too much influence, a political analyst has said.

Valer Karbalevič told BPN that Łukašenka dislikes it when an official holds a position for a long time and Łapo had been in charge of the State Border Committee since 2016.

“Perhaps he needs more loyal people. Young people who have demonstrated their fervor in office and have already proved their greater political loyalty after the protests,” Karbalevič said.

He added that Łapo’s age, 60, could have also played a role in his dismissal.

Łukašenka appointed Kanstancin Mołastaŭ, a former regional border chief, as the new head of the border committee today. Łapo was sent to the reserve.

Łapo faced sanctions from several countries for his role in suppressing anti-government protests after the 2020 presidential election.